It’s the Chinese New Year! Here’s 12 things you need to know about the celebrations

  1. 2015 is the year of the Goat or the Sheep (from the Chinese character “yang”)
  2. Those born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1967, 1979, 1991 or 2003 are goats.  And we have 1 teapig (Rosie) born in the year of the goat!
  3. It is based on the ancient Chinese lunar calendar – it falls on the 2nd new moon after the winter solstice – between 21st January and 19th February  - so it means it changes every year!
  4. It is the longest and most important holiday in the Chinese calendar
  5. It is the largest annual human migration – everybody leaves home to visit their families
  6. People who are not married received a red envelope with money to bring happiness and good fortune. Who gives them out? Those who are married.
  7. Children keep the envelope under their pillow as long as possible to bring them more luck.
  8. People wear red clothing to scare the mythical monster
  9. Cleaning and decorating (or a bit of DIY) is always on the agenda to the run up to the celebrations.
  10. On the final day – day 15 - red lanterns are released into the sky.
  11. London will be celebrating the Chinese New Year on Sunday 22nd February from 10am to 6pm in Trafalgar square
  12. Have a cup of teapigs Jasmine tea to celebrate in style!

XIN NIAN KUAI LE – SAN NIN FAAI LOK 

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